fountains, and take shelter among the hills and rocks: but now, having observed us from a distance, and having taken us for Missionaries who had come among them-for I had formerly travelled in this part of the country-they soon ventured out from their hiding-places, and afterward helped us to erect our temporary habitations. Their number increased daily. Forty Bosjesmans, who had frequently heard me at Philippolis, also came to reside with us; to each of the principal men of whom I gave a few she-goats, with a view to assist and encourage them to stop on the Station. About the same time Br. Kolbe and myself received about 40 sheep from some of the well-disposed farmers around us: of this stock we killed two every Saturday,

and distributed them as rations among the Bosjesmans in order to keep them from going out hunting on the Sabbath, which they were in the habit of doing.

During the months of June, July, and August, we had generally 100 adults, and frequently 120, present at the Morning Service on the Sabbath Day; and although we could not complain of their want of attention to what was spoken at any time, yet, owing to their extreme ignorance of divine things, we frequently found it necessary to catechize them after Service on what they had heard, in the most simple and familiar manner.

We cannot observe, as yet, any serious impressions made on them: but their knowledge is increasing, though slowly; and they are convinced that we are their friends. We sow in hope, trusting that God will give the increase: and it is our duty to do so while we have the opportunity, for the time may soon come when it will be taken from us. Indeed, I am sorry to mention that this has, in part, already taken place. The Bosjemans, living only upon the chase, or upon ants, locusts, wild roots, &c., seem obliged to wander; for when any considerable number of them are gathered together in one place, these means of their subsistence soon become exhausted, and they must separate in all directions. There are still about 50 at the Station.

We have a Hottentot here from the Colony, supported by the Society, who has plowed, sown corn, planted pompkins, tobacco, &c.; but, owing to the locusts and other accidents, our cornharvest has failed this year; otherwise we might have been enabled to keep a

considerable number of Bosjesmans on the Station.

As the Boors had got almost all the children in their possession before we came, we have not been able to collect more than 20; none of whom had ever seen a letter before.

In consequence of the scattered state of the people, Br. Kolbe and myself have been frequently itinerating among them, and, as yet, have been everywhere received in a friendly manner.

The above communication has been delayed by having travelled back to Africa, as it arrived in England under cover, to Dr. Philip after he had left on his return. Mr.

Clark adds, at the end of June of

last year

We observe a considerable improvement in the habits and feelings of the Bosjesmans of this Station; and we think that we have reason to expect that the second year of our labours at this place will be more successful than the first.

The number of Natives at the Station had increased to 95.

He subjoins the following view of The State and Manners of the Bosjesmans.

They are a people quite unaccustomed to think on subjects beyond the regions of sense. They have, indeed, some faint idea of a Supreme Being, and of a world to come; but their notions of these subjects are deficient and gross in the extreme. They believe the existence of an Evil Spirit, whom they fear and serve; but that all men are guilty and polluted creatures in the sight of a Holy God, and that there is a Saviour to deliver from the guilt and dominion of sin-of this they are quite ignorant. They have no idea of a place of future punishment, and that without holiness no man shall see the Lord.

Their moral character (as is the case, indeed, among all heathen and barbarous tribes) is as deficient as their religious belief, or perhaps more so than among many other savages. Living in small families consisting of eight or ten individuals, they are entire strangers to the common bonds of civil society. Having no property of his own, except his bow and poisoned arrows, the Bosjesman is prompted to steal the property of those around him: his hand being against. every man, and every man's hand against him, he is frequently rewarded with the

one hundred and fifty souls were gathered together; among whom there were a few Caffres in their native costume. I was told that the total number of inhabitants at this place, inclusive of children, amount ed to about two hundred souls: the majority are from the neighbourhood of my Station. Great seriousness and attention were manifested during the time of singing and prayer, and while I addressed them from Heb. xi. 8-10. My hearers being but sojourners in the land where I found them, and to which they were some time ago directed by the Colonial Government; the surrounding country being promised unto them and to their children, for an inheritance; and their dwellings being, as yet, nothing more than temporary habitations, or tabernacles, the words of my text instantly arrested the attention of all present, and rivetted every eye upon me. One of the old men, at the conclusion, exclaimed

These words are exactly adapted to our present circumstances, and might seem to have been recorded for our instruction and encouragement; but we want something besides an earthly inheritance; yea, eyes to see that city, which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

One of the men belonging to the party, who, during his residence in the Colony, has learned to spell and read a little, makes a point of collecting the children daily, for the purpose of communicating to them all the instruction in his power. In this, I, of course, encouraged him. May the Lord bless his disinterested labours!

Mr. Ayliff, of Salem, in Albany, writes, in November, in reference to this Settlement

I left Grahamstown on the 17th, in company with Brn. Davis and Haddy, and the Rev. Mr. Thomson, of Chumie, for the purpose of visiting the New-Hottentot Settlement on the Kat River; and, on the 18th, proceeded up the Kat River into a most delightful tract of country, well wooded, and an abundance of water, with plenty of good pasturage-admirably adapted for the formation of a Settlement, for which it has been selected by the Government. I was pleased with the plan on which the Hottentot Settlers have built their temporary houses: they had encircled their cattle-kraal with their houses, thereby, at once, defending them from the nightly visits of thieves; and by day it appears they pay a prompt attention to their flocks and herds: so that,

from present appearances, though the Caffres are renowned for their cunning and subtlety in stealing from the Colonists, they will find in the Hottentots (in former times proverbial for stupidity and indolence) careful and prompt protectors of their hard-earned property.

Some short time previous to our visiting the Settlement, our Governor (Sir Lowry Cole) had visited it; and, by his kind and affable behaviour, had won the confidence and affections of the people. When His Excellency arrived at Cape Town, after a tour through the Colony, his views, respecting several things which he had noticed, were published in one of the Cape Newspapers. The following is

an extract:

The measures, which were lately carried into execution in the establishment of a considerable number of Hottentots on the frontier of the ceded territory, have been attended with the best results; and His Excellency witnessed, with great satisfaction, the vigilance and industry displayed by them in the prompt defence of their property against marauders, and the early and successful cultivation of their lands.

This testimony, given by the Governor of the Colony, who was at the Settlement, and saw himself what was done, speaks much in favour of this people; and we leave the world to say whether Christianity has done any thing toward their

civilization or not.

Mr. Kay gives the following description of an

Affecting Scene at the Grave of the late

Missionary Williams.

I arrived at the spot where lie the

remains of that good man, the Rev. Mr. Williams, of the London Missionary Society, who died in the month of August 1818, after labouring faithfully amongst the Caffres for the space of two years and upward. I rode a short distance out of my way, in order to see the field in which he toiled, and the place where he expired. Having with me one of the Caffres who had resided with him, witnessed his death, and assisted at his burial, I was enabled to collect various particulars; the interest of which was, of course, greatly enhanced by the circumstance of our being in the very vale where they transpired. No other Missionary whatever was engaged in Caffreland when he commenced his work; and the sequestered corner which embraced his sphere of action is now altogether uninhabited.

The grave of our deceased brother is

distinguished from several others with which it is surrounded, by a larger pile of stones; one of which, somewhat bigger than the rest, is placed in an upright position at the head. I could not but feel grieved on finding that a better tablet had not, ere this, been erected to the memory of departed worth; seeing that more than eleven years have now elapsed since that pious Missionary was laid in his dusty bed. This rude mark of distinction was pointed out to me by the old Caffre, with evident marks of affection, and with some degree of emotion. He then added, while directing my attention to other graves round about, “Here lies an umfazi (woman) who sat under his Ministry; and there are some of the amakwinkwe (boys) whom he taught in the School."

Not many paces distant, I observed a grave which appeared to be comparatively new; and, on making inquiry respecting it, was told that it contained the remains of an intombi (young woman) who was killed by the lightning, not far from the place where we then stood, about two years ago. I rejoiced to find, that, in this instance, the Natives had broken through their national, but unnatural, custom of leaving the corpse to be devoured by wolves. The dens of wild beasts being, in general, the only places where the relics of the dead are to be found, a grave-yard is a rare sight in Caffraria.

From hence I was led to the tree, under which Mr. Williams preached-to the field, which he had plowed, the furrows of which are still visible-to the garden, which he had cultivated-to the dam, that he designed for the irrigation of his grounds-and to the precipice, from whence he had rolled many a huge mass, with the view of turning the course of the river below, so as to render the complete inundation of his lands practicable whenever necessary. This was a most gigantic scheme; in attempting which he lost one of his fingers, a large stone falling upon it entirely severing it from the hand.

We next proceeded to the building which was intended for a Place of Worship; and to the Dwelling-house, which was partially completed. "In that corner," said Cota," our umfundis (Teacher) expired; and here did I assist in making his coffin." An imaginary view of the trying scene which presented itself on that occasion affected me deeply, while standing on the very floor where it took

"

place. This excellent man had no fellow-labourer, excepting his pious Wife, to aid him by counsel, or to comfort him amidst suffering. She was under the necessity of closing his eyelids herself—of preparing the corpse for interment-and of giving directions as to the dimensions, shape, and make of the coffin; it being an entirely new thing to the Natives, by whom only she was surrounded. With an infant at her bosom, and another at her side, she then followed her departed Husband to the tomb. On its verge she bowed her knees; and, while the sable throng stood silent all around, committed the body to the dust, making known her wants and requests unto God. This was a trial indeed! more easily conceived than described. Her prayers were heard; and the Father of the Fatherless, and the Judge of the Widow, evidently interposed in her behalf. The heart even of the barbarian was disposed to render her all necessary protection, until the arrival of a friend, who rescued her from danger. This furnishes another signal instance, worthy of being recorded, in proof of that gracious Providence, which, at all times and under all circumstances, presides over the Missionary.

Mr. Edwards, from Lily Fountain, near the Khamiesberg, thus speaks of the

Good Prospects among the Namaquas.

Some of the neighbouring farmers have attended our Religious Services, and united with our Namaquas in singing the praises of the Lord. We have much cause for gratitude to God, for His favour manifested toward us in this respect.... Four families have Family-prayer in the village. An evident influence from the Holy Spirit occasionally attends the Word preached, which many hear with deep attention and apparent concern: we have, more than once, had the penitent's cry in our Prayer-meetings; and there is ground to believe that five adults have begun to serve the Lord in sincerity, three of whom were once members of the Church at Khamiesberg, and who now bewail the loss which they have sustained in backsliding from God. Our prospects are pleasing.

Our School contains Oorlams or Bastard Hottentots, Bootsuannas, Hottentots, and Bosjesmans; most of whom surprise us by the improvement which they make, warranting a hope that, in less than twelve months, 50 children may be expected to

that, in these Countries, we live surrounded by bad examples, you will the less wonder that Missionary Parents should desire their Children to be found in their religious assemblies somewhat earlier than might be done in England, where you can more easily secure a wellordered nursery.

But these good things, we hope, will all come ere long-as soon as the STRONGER ONE shall come, and thrust out the Usurper who has hitherto reigned in the Churches, the Houses, the Streets, and in every place, public or private, in these lands.

read the Bible. The number might be easily increased, did the house we use as a School admit of accommodating more. We pay for it four shillings and sixpence per month, rent; which sum, however, is raised by the children themselves, most of whom subscribe one halfpenny per week each, which they obtain by bringing us milk, eggs, fire-wood, &c., for sale, and which has hitherto been paid with cheerfulness. The first week produced three shillings and ninepence (the children having been requested to bring one penny each); the second, two shillings and twopence; the third, two shillings and eightpence halfpenny; the fourth, two and elevenpence halfpenny-nearly three times the sum required for the month's rent. The people have begun to build a School; which will not be attended with any expense to the Society: and it is gratifying to see the children assembling at the sound of a tin horn, at half-past eight o'clock, to assist in its erection; from which engagement they are dismissed at half-past nine, to wash themselves for the School at ten o'clock, where they are regularly taught till

twelve. In the afternoon, two hours are occupied in teaching them to read.

Mediterranean.

Large Assemblage of Missionaries in Malta. MR. Jowett, having mentioned something which took place in the month of April, adds the following highly interesting circumstance :

About the same period we held many Missionary Meetings among ourselves; there being present at the same time not fewer than Ten Married Missionaries with their Wives, and Six Unmarried Missionaries, on the little Island of Malta. Since that time, they have severally been scattered-some to England, for health-others to Egypt, Mount Lebanon, Armenia, and Greece-and some have remained here. These were very profitable Meetings, and were conducted with a spirit of love and mutual confidence.

Occasionally, also, as the time of taking leave drew nearer, there were present at these parties such of the Children as could be kept quiet, or nearly so-partly that the mothers might not be prevented attending, and partly because we have a good precedent for such a practice in Acts xxi. 5. When it is considered, also,

CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY. *

ABYSSINIAN MISSION.

THE arrival of Messrs. Gobat and Kugler at Jidda, on their way to Abyssinia, was stated at p. 285. From communications just received, of which the following are extracts, it will be seen that they reached Massowah, with the two Abyssinians Ali and Malo, on the 28th of December; in somewhat more than two months from their leaving Caïro, from which place they had set forward on the 20th of October.

Suex.

We have had some long conversations, at Suez, with a Greek Monk from Mount Sinaï I have never seen a man so resolved to keep at a distance from the truth: he concluded by declaring us heretics, and putting us among the number of false Christs and false Prophets, of whom our Saviour spoke. It is thus that we must be sometimes in good and sometimes in evil repute. We have also had many religions conversations with the Consular Agent, a Greek Arab, and native of Suez: I have seldom seen an Arab apprehend so readily the sense of what is said, and so easily yield to the demonstrations of truth, as far as it regards the understanding; but I fear that his heart is entirely with the world: we gave him a Bible on parting, which he appeared to receive with pleasure. There are altogether 15 Christiaus, all Greeks, at Suez; but all buried in the love of the world, though it has nothing inviting at that place.

Departure from Suez.

On the 8th of November we embarked, and set sail the following morning: we passed the night at a place called, by the